Interior designer David Scott explores the best East End home boutiques for exquisite finds he would acquire for his A-list clients.
A big trend I’m seeing in design right now is a return to the eclectic, often infused with “sustainable” finds. The Hamptons are the perfect place to find wonderful items both inspired by nature and, of course, vintage furniture, which is the ultimate in sustainable design. Why buy new when you can reuse?
One of my favorite shops in East Hampton is Roark. The owner, Lisa Bowles, has extremely unique items and an exquisite eye. I found a fabulous sculptural brass-mounted tortoise shell by Anthony Redmile along with some beautiful lighting including a fantastic 20th century Swedish modern lamp as well as a beautiful Italian Angelo Lelli cobra lamp with a rare Arredoluce eyeball. I especially love the cobra lamp; it is adjustable and could be used to highlight a piece of art or serve as a unique desk lamp.
Neighboring shop R.E. Steele Antiques has an unbelievable inventory of midcentury finds. Going to Russ Steele’s shop is always a treat because I know I’m always going to discover some great chair like a comfortable Fabricius & Kastholm 1970s chaise with its original leather upholstery.
Ceramics are special to me, and I look for them everywhere. Russ’s inventory always includes some elegant vessels, like the vintage Italian glazed ceramic vase I found; it is a showpiece with or without flowers, while Lennegan & Marantz in Southampton carries a Seychelles Sea Cloud vase, a glazed ceramic piece that reminds me of barnacles. It’s perfect for any Hamptons home because it brings the sea to the table. The store also is a favorite source for vintage furniture like the deco semainier, one of a pair, which has the most beautiful veneered drawers with functional and exquisite quality. They’d be just right in an all-white dressing room.
JED in Sag Harbor is the type of shop that features an eclectic array of items. I especially love that owner Jack Deamer’s sense of humor comes through in his choice of merchandise, like his stock of cool Fornasetti plates. The Willy Daro lamp features a beautiful agate slice, another clear trend of celebrating nature and making it both beautiful and functional. Its careful mounting makes the glossy rock seem like a big piece of jewelry—perfect for bringing a little glamour to a Hamptons living room.
In search of more eclectic treasures, I head to English Country Antiques in Bridgehampton where I know I’m going to find a bountiful array of international accessories. The store’s Syrian inlaid mother-of-pearl mirror is the perfect example of functional exoticism that can fit beautifully in a contemporary Hamptons interior. I love maps, and I find a huge framed hand-painted print of Paris in nine sections that would really create a sense of history and add some instant patina and graphic interest in an all-white room.
